Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau speaks about the apprehension of fugitive Joshua Louis Edwards, who failed to show for his sentencing on a charge of aggravated promotion of prostitution.

Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau speaks about the apprehension of fugitive Joshua Louis Edwards, who failed to show for his sentencing on a charge of aggravated promotion of prostitution.

Photo: John Davenport / San Antonio Express-News

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Artist Jose Antonio Aguirre works Friday March 28, 2014 on a mosaic project at University Hospital. The piece is dedicated to staff members at the hospital that work in a high-stress environment. The glass mosaic mural is called "The Essence of Healing" and will measure 9 feet 6 inches by 5 feet 6 inches. less

Artist Jose Antonio Aguirre works Friday March 28, 2014 on a mosaic project at University Hospital. The piece is dedicated to staff members at the hospital that work in a high-stress environment. The glass ... more

Photo: SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Artist Jose Antonio Aguirre (top, right) works Friday March 28, 2014 on a mosaic project at University Hospital. The piece is dedicated to staff members at the hospital that work in a high-stress environment. Working with Aguirre are Marina Angeles (top, left), Mary Dickinson (bottom, left) and Bonnie Murillo (bottom, right). less

Artist Jose Antonio Aguirre (top, right) works Friday March 28, 2014 on a mosaic project at University Hospital. The piece is dedicated to staff members at the hospital that work in a high-stress environment. ... more

Photo: SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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This is where a glass mosaic mural by artist Jose Antonio Aguirre will hang at University Hospital. The piece is called "Essence of Healing" and is dedicated to hospital staff members.

This is where a glass mosaic mural by artist Jose Antonio Aguirre will hang at University Hospital. The piece is called "Essence of Healing" and is dedicated to hospital staff members.

Photo: SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Fugitive 'candle store' pimp caught abroad

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SAN ANTONIO — A man who disappeared last year before his sentencing for running a prostitution ring out of a so-called candle store has been caught — five months later and in Costa Rica.

Edwards and his cousin, Malcolm Deandre Copeland, pleaded guilty in September to aggravated promotion of prostitution. Authorities said they ran a Northwest Side business, called Black Stone Relaxation/Day Spa in online ads, in which employees offered sexual acts.

The business, registered with the city as a candle store, operated for two months in 2012 in a shopping center that also included a magic shop, a day care and a children's hair salon.

The Police Department's vice unit set up a sting operation after neighboring business operators reported that only men would visit the store and the staffers would lock the door after letting customers in, court documents show.

After their guilty pleas, Edwards and Copeland remained free on bail while awaiting a sentencing hearing a month later, prosecutor Kirsta Melton said.